Food insecurity is a threat to overall human well-being, as well as efforts geared toward economic growth and poverty alleviation. The concept of food security is multidimensional, encompassing food availability, affordability, adequacy, safety and quality. In Kenya, about 10 million people are said to be food insecure. Therefore food security continues to be an important national policy issue in Kenya. One of the government priorities is to make food available to all its citizens, yet it has had to grapple with several challenges including, low local supply, post-harvest losses, high prices on food imports and poverty among others. The country has in the recent years faced frequent and recurrent food security challenges resulting from, among other things, spiraling food prices, high input prices, prolonged and severe droughts, and high inflation rates. As a result, a large section of the population, and particularly vulnerable groups such as the pastoralists, internally displaced people, and the poor have had to grapple with inadequate access to food, sometimes resulting into severe hunger and loss of life.

Tegemeo Institute recognizes the importance of food security in the development of the Kenyan economy. To this end, the Institute has conducted research that has informed policy makers on the short term, mid-term and long term policies instruments/intervention that would help to address food insecurity. As the country continues to develop, the Institute will continue to conduct research on food security to inform policy makers and other stakeholder on how to tackle this challenge. 
Some of the research that has been carried out by the Institute includes:

• Food security in urban households
• Consumption and expenditure on key food commodities in urban areas 
• Patterns and trends in household food insecurity
• Effects of trade, tariffs and taxes on food security
• Governance in food security initiatives

Written by, John Olwande.

Kenya confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 12 March 2020. Since then, the government has been providing daily updates on the number of new COVID-19 infections, recoveries and deaths in the country, as well as implementing several interventions to manage the disease. The cumulative numbers as of 12 August 2020 were 27,425 new infections, 13,867 recoveries and 438 deaths, and rising. The objective of this assessment was to understand the effects of COVID-19 on the food system and the sub-set of the population largely dependent on agriculture. The findings were intended to inform actions to assure protection of rural livelihoods and
the continued supply of adequate and affordable food of acceptable quality to the population.

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Written by, John Olwande and Miltone Ayieko.

Since 12 March 2020, when Kenya reported the first COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 45,076 cases and 839 deaths, as of 19 October.1 Despite the rising number of COVID-19 confirmed infections and deaths in Kenya during the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, the national and county governments relaxed some of the restrictions that had been in place during Q2 aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19. This assessment was aimed at understanding the effects of COVID-19 at household level and attendant policy responses during Q3 of 2020, to inform actions to assure protection of local food systems, rural livelihoods and the supply of adequate, affordable food of acceptable quality to the population.

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Tegemeo participated at the inaugrual East Africa Evidence to Action (ICED) Conference held on 24th-25th May 2017. 

Various speakers and panelists provided in-depth insight as well as practical tools that will enhance evidence based and data informed Policy and Practice in Africa.

Many topics were covered during this inaugural conference and in line with Tegemeo's mandate of disseminating its research findings to various stakeholders, we participated in various sessions. The Institute Director Dr. Mary Mathenge led a panel of other experts from the Institute comprising of:  

1. Dr. Mercy Kamau, MLE Director, Tegemeo Institute
2. Dr. Lilian Kirimi, Research Director, Tegemeo Institute
3. Dr. Timothy Njagi, M&E Specialist, Tegemeo Institute
4. Dr. Miltone Ayieko, Outreach, Communication & Partnerships Coordinator, Tegemeo Institute

The panel of experts discussed keys to translating Evidence to Policy and Practice: Lessons and Experiences from Agricultural Policy Research

Besides the Tegemeo team moderating in various sessions and exhibiting part of its research products, Dr. Timothy Njagi & Dr. Mary Mathenge presented at a break out session themed Adoption of Improved Technology. Their presentation was on lessons drawn from a study on Adoption of Technology Bundles among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Kenya Evaluating Socioeconomic Impacts of Mid-altitude Maize Hybrid Varieties in Kenya. Dr. Mercy Kamau and Dr. Fred Bagamba presented at yet another break out session themed: Adoption of Improved Technology. Their presentation was onImproving food security through the introduction of new seed varieties: How effective are demonstration plots and field days in influencing farmers adoption behavior towards new maize and bean varieties?

The conference was held at Park Inn Radisson Blu, Nairobi.

The Covid-19 pandemic arrived on the world stage in early 2020and, as of the time of this writing,shows little sign of abating. Thus far, countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have mostly evaded anintense, direct public health effect of Covid-19, and this is indeed something to celebrate. However,the Covid-19 pandemic, inclusive of the associated policy responses,10has affected food systems inSSA through numerous other avenues. The pandemic triggered a global recession, which in turn hasnegatively affected international supply and demand for some agricultural imports and exports andbroadly reduced the flow of international remittances into lower-income countries.

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Date :  14th July 2015

Time : 7.00am - 10.30am

Venue : PanAfric Hotel

Introduction

Maize production in Kenya has continuously faced a number of challenges that have hampered food availability and access. These challenges include, low productivity, high input costs, post-harvest losses, climate variability and change, among others. To address the challenge of high input costs, the Government launched an aggressive programme of providing subsidized fertilizer to farmers. It was expected that this programme, coupled with other interventions, would bring down the costs of maize production and consequently maize flour prices. In addition, the Government is investing in large scale irrigated maize production in order to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and thus deal with the problem of perennial maize shortage.

Given the strategic role that maize plays in food security and household income, it is imperative to have continued assessment and deliberation on feasible options that could lower costs of production and hence ensure competitiveness in production and lower food prices. In light of this, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University has been carrying out regular/annual assessment of production costs for maize to help inform on this debate. We have recently assessed the cost of production for the 2014/15 cropping year under different production systems and fertilizer access regimes, the viability of irrigated maize, and the status of the current food situation in Kenya.

The following findings from these studies were shared with stakeholders:

Presentations

1. Cost of Maize Across Different Systems and Regions in Kenya: Implications for Food Security and Pricing

2. Can Irrigation be an Answer to Increased Maize Production snd Food Security in Kenya?

3. Trends in maize grain and flour prices: Implications for food security

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Proceedings

Press releases

The Covid-19 pandemic and associated policy responses are likely to affect food systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through numerous pathways (Figure 1). As of late 2020, the most striking impacts have been felt through the policies aimed at preventing the spread of the virus through restrictions on movement and economic activity. These include directives to remain at home with exceptions made for limited essential activities; social distancing requirements in public spaces including markets and public transportation; the closure of markets and workplaces; and the closure or heightened security of borders and inter-state roads..

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Date :  10th October 2016

Time : 7.00am - 10.30am

Venue : PanAfric Hotel

Introduction

Kenya remains largely a net importer of key food staples namely maize, wheat and rice. On average, the country imports over 50% percent of its demand for rice and wheat and 7-10 percent of maize.  This is despite favorable conditions for production thus implying an unexploited potential and/or lack of sufficient policy support for increased production.

In Kenya, majority of producers of maize and rice are small scale farmers who also depend on these staples for their livelihoods. In order to ensure food security and improve household incomes, it is important to continuously assess and monitor the profitability and competitiveness of these key staples in the country. This will enable identification of key challenges and opportunities for increased production and areas of policy intervention.

Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University conducted an assessment of the costs of production for maize and rice for the 2015/16 cropping year and the current status of food situation in the country. The findings of this assessment were shared and discussed in a stakeholders’ breakfast forum to elicit feedback and way forward on feasible options that could improve on the profitability and competitiveness in production. Such interventions are necessary for ensuring lower food prices for consumers.

The following findings from these studies were shared with stakeholders:

Presentations

1. Meeting Introduction and Objectives

View a brief video intro on the same here...

2. Consumption Patterns of Major Staples in Rural & Urban areas of Kenya

View a brief video on the Consumption patterns here... 

3. Cost of Maize and Rice Production in Small and Large Scale Systems, 2015 

View a brief video on the cost of rice and maize production here... 

4. Kenya’s Maize Crop Prospects and Food Situation

View a brief video on the food situation here... 

View more videos here... 

Insights from Narok County 

Insights from a largescale rice producer

Voices from Ahero farmers

Voices from Muluwa rice farmers

Tegemeo Conference 2010

Date : 27th and 28th October 2010

Venue : Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Leadership Centre, Karen, Nairobi

The agricultural sector in Kenya will continue to play a significant role in the country's overall economic growth and development as is envisaged in the Vision 2030. With the integration of the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (ASDS) and the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), Kenya is well positioned to make tremendous gains in transforming its agricultural sector. Nonetheless, there are challenges that must be overcome if this momentum is to be sustained. In order to transform the agricultural sector into a modern, commercially-oriented sector, issues of poverty, competitiveness and market access come to the forefront especially with the current trends in regional and global integration. The availability and access to food particularly for the urban poor is also becoming a key challenge.

These issues call for continued attention by policy makers, development agencies and all stakeholders in general. Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University has been conducting research on these issues and organized a conference to disseminate its research findings and provide a forum for feedback and discussion of alternative policy options. These findings are based on household and market survey data as well as urban consumption/expenditure survey collected by the Institute. Our results show that cereal production in Kenya is still challenged by low competitiveness compared with its trading partners. In addition, market participation among smallholder households, particularly the poor is low. On a more positive note and one that supports the ASDS's thrust towards commercialization, our results indicate that households exiting poverty register greater market participation and a higher marketable surplus. On consumption, the results point at increasing food insecurity among the poor and the need for reliability and efficiency in markets and other components of the urban food system in order to deliver affordable and nutritious food. They also support the use of more cost effective strategies in targeting vulnerable consumers.

The Conference was officially opened by Dr. Romano M. Kiome Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya.

 DAY 1

1. Overview of the Conference - Dr. Mary K. Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute

2.  Kenya's Maize Value Chain: Toward Strategic Interventions to Address National Policy Challenges -Dr. Lilian Kirimi, Tegemeo Institute

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View/download paper

3. Trade and Agriculture Competitiveness for Growth , Food Security and Poverty Reduction: A Case of Wheat and Rice Production -Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute

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4. Dairying in Kenya: An Assessment of Competitiveness and Profitability - Stella Wambugu, Tegemeo Institute

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5. Has Kenyan Farmers' Access to Markets and Services Improved: Panel Survey Evidence, 1997 – 2007 - Prof. T.S. Jayne Michigan State University

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View/download paper

6. Market Participation among Poor Rural Households in Kenya - John Olwande, Tegemeo Institute

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7. Consumption and Expenditures on Key Food Commodities and its Implications on Households'Food Security: the case of Nairobi - Dr. Mercy W. Kamau, Tegemeo Institute

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8. Pathways into and out of Poverty: A Study of Rural Household Wealth Dynamics in Kenya - Milu Muyanga, Tegemeo Institute

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9. Comparing Panel Data with Life Histories on Poverty Existing Households in Rural Kenya - Raphael Gitau, Tegemeo Institute

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DAY 2

1. Summary of DAY 1 Deliberations - Dr. Mary K. Mathenge, Director Tegemeo Institute

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2. Developing Staple Food Markets to Reduce Hunger and Poverty -Prof T.S. Jayne, Michigan State University

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3. Assisting Kenyan Smallholder Farmers access Commercial Markets -Isaac Tallam, Private Sector grain trade advisor ,USAID COMPETE

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4. Post-harvest Challenges to Food Security in Kenya - Dr. Johnson Irungu Waithaka, Director Land and Crops, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya

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5. Curbing Food Insecurity in Kenya -Tutui Nanok, Agricultural Specialist/Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister Kenya

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Theme: Conference on Integrating Consumers in Policy and Program Agenda in Kenyan Agriculture

The need for increased and dependable food supply in Kenya cannot be over emphasized. Kenya enjoys favorable conditions for food production but food availability has been erratic, fluctuating from year to year. This is majorly due to challenges experienced in the course of production including but not limited to climate variability and change, rain dependent farming, high input costs, low productivity, post-harvest losses, and most recently the fall army worm infestation, among others.

Despite efforts by the Government and other actors in the agriculture sector, Kenya is still not self-sufficient in production of the key staples namely maize, wheat and rice. Demand for these staples has increased due to population growth, increased urbanization and a shift in food preferences. Therefore, it is important to continuously assess the cost of producing these food crops to inform affordability and identify key drivers affecting cost of production. This will in turn inform on areas where policy can intervene and consequently lead to improved productivity, food security and household incomes.

Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development of Egerton University recently conducted an assessment of the costs of production for maize and rice for the 2017/18 cropping year and the current status of the food situation in the country. The findings of this assessment were shared and discussed at a stakeholders’ breakfast forum to elicit feedback and way forward on feasible options that could lower costs of production and ensure dependable food supply and lower food prices.

Cost of Production for Maize & Rice in Kenya 2017

Food Situation Assessment & Prospects for 2017-2018

Breakfast Meeting Proceedings 

Low agricultural production and erratic food availability can be attributed to factors such as climate variability and change, high input costs, low adoption of technology, declining agricultural land, low productivity, post-harvest losses, limited value addition, and prevalence of pests and diseases, among others. Despite efforts by the Government and other actors in the agriculture sector, the country is still not self-sufficient in the production of the key staples such as maize, wheat, rice and Irish potatoes. Continuous assessment of the cost of production for these crops is essential to inform on key drivers of food security.

Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University, recently conducted an assessment of the costs of production for maize, rice and Irish potatoes for the 2017/18 cropping year and the current status of the food situation in the country. The findings of this assessment were shared at a Stakeholders’ Breakfast Forum to elicit feedback on appropriate policy options which can be used to inform policy formulation and decision making.

Cost of Production for Maize , Irish Potatoes and Rice in Kenya 2018 plus Food Situation Assessment 2018

Breakfast Meeting Proceedings 

The fishing sector employs about two million people including fishers, traders, processors, input suppliers, merchants of fishing accessories and providers of related services. Just like all the sectors in our economy, the fish industry has faced a general disruption of the supply chain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The confusion arising from the different measures taken to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus has resulted in a range of short-term effects, which vary by locality and type of fish. In the recent past, it has been reported that fishing in Lake Victoria has experienced mixed effects as a result of the pandemic.

Workshop on Market Participation among Women and the Poor in Kenya, March 2011 in Nyandarua North, Mbeere South and Kirinyaga West

Introduction

Improving agricultural productivity is crucial in enhancing food security and accelerating pro-poor growth. Various functions in implementation of programmes/projects that are geared towards mitigating food insecurity and poverty reduction have been decentralized to the local level (district and below) as a way of increasing responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. This has been achieved by establishment of organs through which various functions are effected and by involvement of various stakeholders, including the farmers. To ensure that initiatives are/remain relevant to the needs of local communities particularly the poor and vulnerable, it is important to continually review the governance mechanisms that are in place at these local levels. A key objective of the agri-food systems project is to promote policies and governance mechanisms for sustainable agri-food systems. It seeks to contribute to the understanding of why current policies, institutions and governance mechanisms have not enhanced ability of the rural poor, women and the vulnerable to secure sustainable livelihoods, food and income security and a revitalized natural resource base.

 It is against this backdrop that Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University undertook studies in Mbeere, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua to establish the local level structures responsible for various food security-related initiatives, their composition and the existing linkages both upstream and downstream as well as horizontal linkages. In addition, the Institute captured the perception of local stakeholders on dimensions of governance that are relevant to making agri-food systems work for the poor and vulnerable namely, the satisfaction, participation and their influence. This study is within the broader project on "Making Agri-food Systems Work for the Rural Poor" being carried out in collaboration with other local and regional partners.

Preliminary results show that the structure is still limiting farmers' involvement in decision making, in resource allocation and in ensuring programmes and projects remain accountable. In addition, current funding levels seem to be curtailing the convening of various organs/committees and wider farmer representation. Farmers on the other hand seem to have minimal understanding of the projects in which they are participating in although there was an above average perception on satisfaction with benefit derived from the projects. There was also little knowledge on existing civil society groups, their agenda/mandate and influence on the committees.

Tegemeo Institute organized for workshops to disseminate it findings and get feedback from the community. The workshops drew participants from farmer groups, civil societies and NGOs . 

Nyandarua North Workshop

Venue : St. Martin's Catholic Church Hall , Nyahururu
Date : 9th March, 2011

1. Making Agrifood System Work for the Poor-Presentations of a dissemination workshop in Nyandarua North
2. FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES IN NYANDARUA NORTH DISTRICT
3. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES AND COMMUNITYS' VOICE IN GOVERNANCE OF FOOD SECURITY NYANDARUA NORTH
4. Way forward matrix for Nyandarua North 

Mbeere South Workshop

Venue : Christian Community Service (CCS) Mayori, kiritiri
Date : 10th March, 2011

1. Making Agrifood System Work for the Poor-Presentations of a Dissemination Workshop in Mbeere South
2. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES AND COMMUNITYS' VOICE IN GOVERNANCE OF FOOD SECURITY - Mbeere
3. Way Forward Matrix for Mbeere South

Kirinyaga West Workshop

Venue : County Hotel, Sagana
Date : 11th March, 2011

1. Making Agrifood system work for the poor-Presentations of dissemination workshop in Kirinyaga West
2. Food Security Initiatives in Kirinyaga West District
3. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES AND COMMUNITYS' VOICE IN GOVERNANCE OF FOOD SECURITY - Kirinyaga
4. Way Forward Matrix for Kirinyaga West

Venue: Nyeri, Makueni, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu

Dates: July 2011 to February 2012

Introduction

Tegemeo Institute is a policy research Institute under the Division of Research and Extension of Egerton University. The Institute contributes to policy formulation in Kenya by striving to conduct proactive policy research and advocacy that enhance food security, creates wealth and sustains the environment. Through outreach, the Institute informs public and private sector stakeholders about possible policy and investment options that can promote household incomes, food security, and agricultural and rural development in Kenya. The Institute believes that given relevant empirical information, much progress can be made in effective public sector management through collaborative policy outreach, which entails meaningful discussions and interaction among researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

Primary data is a valuable asset for generating evidence-based economic and policy options. Tegemeo Institute has over the last 13 years, been tracking progress made at the farm household level by collating data from rural farm households. The Institute conducts household surveys every two years. The data collected includes: input-output data; marketing data, on- and off-farm employment, income; technology (seed and fertilizer) use and accessibility to basic infrastructure (roads, water, markets), among others. Although this data has over the years been used to generate evidence to inform policy formulation at the national, regional and international levels, the Institute is yet to provide feedback to the community from which data were collected. As the country transitions to a decentralized system, Tegemeo Institute finds it useful to provide evidence from its dataset to: 1) Inform the central and county governments regarding the status of the agricultural sector and farm households, the possible pathways to development and the critical bottlenecks to such development; and 2) Provide a good/reliable baseline which county governments can use to track progress in their regions.

It is against this backdrop that Tegemeo Institute has been organizing workshops to disseminate its findings on "Status, Trends and Opportunities in Smallholder Agricultural Productivity, Market Participation and Household Incomes". During the workshops the Institute presents the current status of key household and agricultural indicators as well as changes that have occurred over the last 10 years, with a view to identifying positive trends/opportunities and possible solutions/interventions to unlock potential or mitigate negative trends. 

The audience for the outreach workshops are the farming community as well as other stakeholders including the regional government, political leaders, agricultural sector ministries, research institutions and development agents (NGO's, donors) who have on-going or planned activities in the areas covered by the Tegemeo panel.

Workshop on Integration of poor and vulnerable farmers into value Chains for sweet potatoes and other emerging crops in Mbeere and Kirinyaga 
Venue: County Hotel, Sagana and Gachoka CDF Complex, Kiritiri
Date: 14-15 February, 2012

The general agreement is that integrating rural poor farmers into markets is crucial in enhancing food security and accelerating pro-poor economic growth. It is also widely recognised that these farmers need to be organized and their capacity built to enable them penetrate larger and more lucrative markets beyond the production zones.

It is against this backdrop that Tegemeo Institute of Egerton University undertook an economic and value chain analysis of selected ‘orphan’ crops grown by smallholder farmers, including the poor in the drier parts of Kirinyaga West District and Mbeere South District. These studies are within the broader project “Making Agri-food Systems Work for the Rural Poor” which is being carried out in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and other regional partners.

Our findings are that production of these crops is profitable and that farmers would greatly increase their income by producing in the off-season, adopting standardized weights and by selling their produce in markets beyond their locality. Farmers have however been unsuccessful in enforcing standardized packaging/weights and grades. They have also not tapped into lucrative markets beyond the production area partly because they are not organized and do not have information beyond that which is available from local traders/brokers.

Tegemeo Institute organized workshops that were aimed at bringing together various stakeholders from the private sector, public sector, NGO’s, civil society groups and the local farming community to amongst others; discuss how the community can organize and build capacity that will enable them to penetrate lucrative markets. Background papers were presented by Tegemeo Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture and the civil society. The output from the Workshops was an action plan and commitment of resources required: to get farmers organized, to impart knowledge and skills and to link them to lucrative markets.

• Kirinyaga Workshop
  Venue:County Hotel, Sagana
  Date:14 February 2012
  Presentations
  
  • Making agri-food systems work for the rural poor through integration into larger, more lucrative markets
  • Transformation and Improved livelihoods through Market Development and Smallholder Commercialization in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Mbeere Workshop
  Venue:Gachoka CDF Complex, Kiritiri
  Date:15 February 2012
  Presentations
  
  • Workshop Introduction - Making agri-food systems work for the rural poor by integrating them into large & lucrative markets
  • Transformation and Improved livelihoods through Market Development and Smallholder Commercialization in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Making agri-food systems work for the rural poor in Mbeere south districts through integration into larger, more lucrative markets
  • Marketing initiatives in Kirinyaga West

Workshop on Improving Participation in Agricultural Commodity Markets for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: Assessing Growth Opportunities for Marginalized Groups

Venue: Panafric Hotel, Nairobi

Date: July 23, 2013

Workshop Participants

Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development of Egerton University and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) have been involved in a study to assess growth opportunities for marginalized groups in three value chains, namely, avocado, sweet potato and indigenous chicken. The main objective of the study was to identify critical bottlenecks and assess growth opportunities that could be exploited in improving market access and participation by marginalized groups especially women.
Preliminary findings from the study were presented in a workshop held at the Panafric Hotel on 23rd July, 2013. The aim of the workshop was to share research findings, elicit debate and get feedback from stakeholders. The discussions during the workshop were based on the results of the detailed studies presented in relation to the actions of the various chain players, efficiency of product flows, comparative gross margins analysis, among others. The extent of women participation, challenges and unexploited opportunities in each value chain were also discussed.
The workshop drew participants from a wide spectrum of stakeholders including relevant government ministries, mainly Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, donor agencies, International research organizations, e.g. CIP, ICRAF, various NGOs, the private sector (exporters, processors, traders, etc), relevant commodity associations, farmer groups and organizations, farmers and Egerton University- Tegemeo Institute, among others.

Kenya confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 12 March 2020. Like many governments across the world, the Kenyan government implemented various measures aimed at slowing down local spread of the virus and cushioning the population against the negative economic effects of the pandemic and the associated policy restrictions.